Iconic '70s actors

By By VANESSA HO

on November 3, 2012 12:53 PM

Photo: Roy Jones//

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With "Star Wars" getting a new franchise three decades after the 1970s original, here's a trip back to that decade, a time of sideburns, big collars, bushy mustaches and iconic actors. We start with John Travolta, who made polyester suits sexy in 1977's "Saturday Night Fever." less

With "Star Wars" getting a new franchise three decades after the 1970s original, here's a trip back to that decade, a time of sideburns, big collars, bushy mustaches and iconic actors. We start with John ... more

Photo: Hulton Archive, /

With "Star Wars" getting a new franchise three decades... Photo-3682795.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The '70s were also great for Jack Nicholson, who starred in "Chinatown" (1974) and "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975), for which he won an Oscar.

The '70s were also great for Jack Nicholson, who starred in "Chinatown" (1974) and "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975), for which he won an Oscar.

Photo: Roy Jones, /

The '70s were also great for Jack Nicholson , who starred in... Photo-3682794.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Long before "Wall Street" and "Fatal Attraction," Michael Douglas was keeping the Bay Area in line in "The Street of San Francisco" with Karl Malden.

Long before "Wall Street" and "Fatal Attraction," Michael Douglas was keeping the Bay Area in line in "The Street of San Francisco" with Karl Malden.

Photo: Keystone, /

Long before "Wall Street" and "Fatal... Photo-3682793.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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From "De plane! De plane!" to those immaculate white suits, "Fantasy Island" was a treasure trove of later pop-culture references. It debuted in 1978, starring Ricardo Montalban as Mr. Roarke and Herve Villechaize as sidekick Tattoo. File photo. less

From "De plane! De plane!" to those immaculate white suits, "Fantasy Island" was a treasure trove of later pop-culture references. It debuted in 1978, starring Ricardo Montalban as Mr. Roarke and Herve ... more

Photo: /

From "De plane! De plane!" to those immaculate white... Photo-3682791.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Here's Clint Eastwood in the '70s, in his "Dirty Harry" phase, before he became known for rambling Mitt Romney endorsements.

Here's Clint Eastwood in the '70s, in his "Dirty Harry" phase, before he became known for rambling Mitt Romney endorsements.

Photo: Express Newspapers, /

Here's Clint Eastwood in the '70s, in his "Dirty... Photo-3682790.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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No one rocked a mustache and tan like Burt Reynolds (R), who was great in "Deliverance" in 1972. And no one exudes British-ness like Michael Caine (L), who did the epic "The Man who would be King" in 1975. Between them is Caine's wife, Shakira, at the "Live and Let Die" premiere. less

No one rocked a mustache and tan like Burt Reynolds (R), who was great in "Deliverance" in 1972. And no one exudes British-ness like Michael Caine (L), who did the epic "The Man who would be King" in 1975. ... more

Photo: Keystone, /

No one rocked a mustache and tan like Burt Reynolds (R), who was... Photo-3682789.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

Dustin Hoffman became a big star in the late '60s and continued his rise with "Midnight Cowboy," "Little Big Man" and "Marathon Man." He's pictured in some bitty trunks with then-wife Anne Byrne in 1975.

Dustin Hoffman became a big star in the late '60s and continued his rise with "Midnight Cowboy," "Little Big Man" and "Marathon Man." He's pictured in some bitty trunks with then-wife Anne Byrne in 1975.

Photo: AFP, /

Dustin Hoffman became a big star in the late '60s and... Photo-3682782.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Before Brad Pitt, there was Robert Redford, who had great movie roles in "The Sting," "The Great Gatsby" and "The Way We Were."

Before Brad Pitt, there was Robert Redford, who had great movie roles in "The Sting," "The Great Gatsby" and "The Way We Were."

Photo: Hulton Archive, /

Before Brad Pitt, there was Robert Redford , who had great movie... Photo-3682778.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

Both Dustin Hoffman (L) and Robert Redford (R) starred in the 1976 movie "All the President's Men," which the Library of Congress praised as "a rare example of a best-selling book that was transformed into a hit theatrical film and a cultural phenomenon in its own right." less

Both Dustin Hoffman (L) and Robert Redford (R) starred in the 1976 movie "All the President's Men," which the Library of Congress praised as "a rare example of a best-selling book that was transformed into a ... more

Now those are some old-school machines. Jimmie Walker was irrepressible J.J. on "Good Times" and known for his catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!"

Now those are some old-school machines. Jimmie Walker was irrepressible J.J. on "Good Times" and known for his catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!"

Photo: Hulton Archive, /

Now those are some old-school machines. Jimmie Walker was... Photo-3682863.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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"Starsky and Hutch" was the epitome of tire-squealing, car-chasing '70s cop shows, with Paul Michael Glaser (L) and David Soul (R) ripping it up in a Gran Torino. It included singing performances by Soul and jive-talking from snitch Huggy Bear. The show debuted in 1975. less

"Starsky and Hutch" was the epitome of tire-squealing, car-chasing '70s cop shows, with Paul Michael Glaser (L) and David Soul (R) ripping it up in a Gran Torino. It included singing performances by Soul and ... more

Photo: Keystone, /

"Starsky and Hutch" was the epitome of tire-squealing,... Photo-3682781.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Or was the classic '70s cop show "Baretta?" This one starred Robert Blake (R), as an undercover cop who liked disguises and his pet cockatoo. The show ran from 1975 to 1978. Blake, acquitted in the murder of his wife in 2005, is pictured in a scene from the show. less

Or was the classic '70s cop show "Baretta?" This one starred Robert Blake (R), as an undercover cop who liked disguises and his pet cockatoo. The show ran from 1975 to 1978. Blake, acquitted in the murder of ... more

Photo: United Artists, /

Or was the classic '70s cop show "Baretta?" This one... Photo-3682857.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

Harvey Keitel (L) starred opposite Robert De Niro in two Martin Scorsese movies in the '70s: "Taxi Driver" (pictured) and "Mean Streets." But while De Niro's career skyrocketed, Keitel's sputtered along and his '70s-era thugs remain among his best work. less

Harvey Keitel (L) starred opposite Robert De Niro in two Martin Scorsese movies in the '70s: "Taxi Driver" (pictured) and "Mean Streets." But while De Niro's career skyrocketed, Keitel's sputtered along and his ... more

Tough guy action star Charles Bronson began his popular vigilante "Death Wish" movies in 1974. And only Bronson could pull off this long-haired, head-banded, mustachioed look. He's at the 1970 Olympic Games in Montreal with then-wife Jill Ireland and their daughter. Bronson died in 2003. less

Tough guy action star Charles Bronson began his popular vigilante "Death Wish" movies in 1974. And only Bronson could pull off this long-haired, head-banded, mustachioed look. He's at the 1970 Olympic Games in ... more

Check out Gandalf when he was young. You know Ian McKellen as the wizard in the "Lord of the Rings" movies, but he was a famous stage actor for the Royal Shakespeare Company and other British theater in the '70s. less

Check out Gandalf when he was young. You know Ian McKellen as the wizard in the "Lord of the Rings" movies, but he was a famous stage actor for the Royal Shakespeare Company and other British theater in the ... more

Photo: Roy Jones, /

Check out Gandalf when he was young. You know Ian McKellen as the... Photo-3682870.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The world got to see Robert De Niro's acting chops in 1973 in "Mean Streets," but the '70s will always be remembered for De Niro's Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver."

The world got to see Robert De Niro's acting chops in 1973 in "Mean Streets," but the '70s will always be remembered for De Niro's Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver."

Photo: Evening Standard, /

The world got to see Robert De Niro's acting chops in 1973... Photo-3682796.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Anthony Hopkins was a famous British TV actor before Hannibal Lecter came along.

Anthony Hopkins was a famous British TV actor before Hannibal Lecter came along.

Photo: Fox Photos, /

Anthony Hopkins was a famous British TV actor before Hannibal... Photo-3682862.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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What '70s actor gallery is complete without Sylvester Stallone, who catapulted to fame after "Rocky" in 1976.

What '70s actor gallery is complete without Sylvester Stallone, who catapulted to fame after "Rocky" in 1976.

Sean Connery is of course best known as James Bond in the '60s and the early '70s, with "Diamonds are Forever." But he went on to do "The Man who would be King" (1975) and "Zardoz" (1974), for which he wore this ridiculously awesome outfit. He's pictured with co-actor Charlotte Rampling.

Sean Connery is of course best known as James Bond in the '60s and the early '70s, with "Diamonds are Forever." But he went on to do "The Man who would be King" (1975) and "Zardoz" (1974), for which he wore ... more

Photo: 20th Century Fox, /

Sean Connery is of course best known as James Bond in the... Photo-3682869.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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"King of Cool" Steve McQueen dominated the countercultural '60s and '70s, with hits like "The Getaway" and "The Towering Inferno." Then he disappeared into motorcycle racing and died in 1980. Photo is from 1970. less

"King of Cool" Steve McQueen dominated the countercultural '60s and '70s, with hits like "The Getaway" and "The Towering Inferno." Then he disappeared into motorcycle racing and died in 1980. Photo is from ... more

"We're movin' on up!" Sherman Hemsley (R) and Isabel Sanford (2nd from R) were comedic brilliance in "The Jeffersons," a ground-breaking sitcom with a mostly black cast and edgy writing in its early years. It debuted in 1975. Hemsley died in July of 2012. less

"We're movin' on up!" Sherman Hemsley (R) and Isabel Sanford (2nd from R) were comedic brilliance in "The Jeffersons," a ground-breaking sitcom with a mostly black cast and edgy writing in its early years. It ... more

Green, iconic and timeless? It's Kermit the Frog, of course, who starred in "The Muppet Show" in the '70s with his puppet crew. Then he rose to greater fame after singing "The Rainbow Connection" in 1979's "The Muppet Movie." He's pictured with Fozzie Bear (as investigative reporters, obviously) from their 1981 movie, "The Great Muppet Caper." less

Green, iconic and timeless? It's Kermit the Frog, of course, who starred in "The Muppet Show" in the '70s with his puppet crew. Then he rose to greater fame after singing "The Rainbow Connection" in 1979's "The ... more

Christopher Walken has been an intense movie star for decades, but got his start in the '70s, notably with a haunting portrayal as a Vietnam vet in "The Deer Hunter" in 1978. He won an Oscar for that role.

Christopher Walken has been an intense movie star for decades, but got his start in the '70s, notably with a haunting portrayal as a Vietnam vet in "The Deer Hunter" in 1978. He won an Oscar for that role.

"Star Trek," with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and the rest of the USS Enterprise crew, appeared for just three seasons in the late '60s. But the show found its enormous cult following in syndication in the '70s.

"Star Trek," with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and the rest of the USS Enterprise crew, appeared for just three seasons in the late '60s. But the show found its enormous cult following in syndication in the ... more

If you were scraping by on the land, raising a passel of kids in a hard-knock house, would you be as kind as Michael Landon's Pa Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie?" Didn't think so. The show ran from 1974 to 1983. Landon died in 1991. less

If you were scraping by on the land, raising a passel of kids in a hard-knock house, would you be as kind as Michael Landon's Pa Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie?" Didn't think so. The show ran from 1974 ... more

Photo: NBC Television, /

If you were scraping by on the land, raising a passel of kids in a... Photo-3682846.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Before Samuel L. Jackson's 2000 movie "Shaft," there was Richard Roundtree, who brought the swagger to the original "Shaft" movies of the '70s. Roundtree made an appearance in the 2000 movie, for which he's pictured here. less

Before Samuel L. Jackson's 2000 movie "Shaft," there was Richard Roundtree, who brought the swagger to the original "Shaft" movies of the '70s. Roundtree made an appearance in the 2000 movie, for which he's ... more

Marlon Brando transitioned from '50s hunk to '70s heavyweight with "The Godfather," "Last Tango in Paris," and "Apocalypse Now." Brando, who died in 2004, is pictured during the filming of "Last Tango" with director Bernardo Bertolucci . less

Marlon Brando transitioned from '50s hunk to '70s heavyweight with "The Godfather," "Last Tango in Paris," and "Apocalypse Now." Brando, who died in 2004, is pictured during the filming of "Last Tango" with ... more

Roy Scheider was an amateur boxer and star of some big '70s movies, including "The French Connection" and "Marathon Man." But he's mostly known as the police chief in the "Jaws" movies, in which he delivered the best lines: "You're gonna need a bigger boat." Scheider died in 2008.

Roy Scheider was an amateur boxer and star of some big '70s movies, including "The French Connection" and "Marathon Man." But he's mostly known as the police chief in the "Jaws" movies, in which he delivered ... more

Photo: Evening Standard, /

Roy Scheider was an amateur boxer and star of some big '70s... Photo-3682851.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Richard Dreyfuss had an uncanny way of disappearing into his characters in "Jaws" (1975), "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) and "The Goodbye Girl" (1977), for which he won an Oscar. Then a drug addiction took him down for many years.

Richard Dreyfuss had an uncanny way of disappearing into his characters in "Jaws" (1975), "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) and "The Goodbye Girl" (1977), for which he won an Oscar. Then a drug ... more

Photo: John Minihan, /

Richard Dreyfuss had an uncanny way of disappearing into his... Photo-3682850.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Peter Sellers was excellent as bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the silly "Pink Panther" movies, before he died in 1980 at age 54. This '70s-era photo is pretty silly, too, with Sellers' third wife, Miranda Quarry, and her Pekineses at a party. less

Peter Sellers was excellent as bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the silly "Pink Panther" movies, before he died in 1980 at age 54. This '70s-era photo is pretty silly, too, with Sellers' third wife, Miranda ... more

"Diff'rent Strokes," which first aired in 1978, made stars out of child actors Gary Coleman (R) and Todd Bridges (L) and tackled serious topics from racism to child sexual abuse. Conrad Bain (center) played the rich dad who adopted kids from Harlem. less

"Diff'rent Strokes," which first aired in 1978, made stars out of child actors Gary Coleman (R) and Todd Bridges (L) and tackled serious topics from racism to child sexual abuse. Conrad Bain (center) played the ... more

Alan Alda is best known as smart-aleck, womanizing Hawkeye Pierce in the long-running show "M*A*S*H." When Alda started writing and directing episodes in the series' latter half, the show became known for a sharper, political tone. less

Alan Alda is best known as smart-aleck, womanizing Hawkeye Pierce in the long-running show "M*A*S*H." When Alda started writing and directing episodes in the series' latter half, the show became known for a ... more

Bill Cosby has done a lot of shows variously named after him ("The Bill Cosby Show," "The Cosby Show," "Cos," "The New Bill Cosby Show.") But his more successful ventures include his "Fat Albert" series, which had kids glued to the TV every Saturday morning in the '70s. Cosby is pictured in 1973. less

Bill Cosby has done a lot of shows variously named after him ("The Bill Cosby Show," "The Cosby Show," "Cos," "The New Bill Cosby Show.") But his more successful ventures include his "Fat Albert" series, which ... more

Photo: Hulton Archive, /

Bill Cosby has done a lot of shows variously named after him... Photo-3682853.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Stand-up comic Freddie Prinze (L) starred in "Chico and the Man," the first sitcom set in a Mexican-American neighborhood. Then Prinze killed himself in 1977, at age 22, and the producers wrote his character out of the show. Photo is from 1975. less

Stand-up comic Freddie Prinze (L) starred in "Chico and the Man," the first sitcom set in a Mexican-American neighborhood. Then Prinze killed himself in 1977, at age 22, and the producers wrote his character ... more

Who names their kid "Luke Duke?" It doesn't matter, when your car is named the General Lee. The "Dukes of Hazzard" debuted in 1979, with John Schneider (L) and Tom Wopat (R), pictured in 1997 for the "reunion" with Stella Stevens. less

Who names their kid "Luke Duke?" It doesn't matter, when your car is named the General Lee. The "Dukes of Hazzard" debuted in 1979, with John Schneider (L) and Tom Wopat (R), pictured in 1997 for the "reunion" ... more

Remember a time before cable news and Twitter? Ed Asner played Lou Grant during much of the '70s, first in the "Mary Tyler Moore Show," then in "Lou Grant" as a crusty editor of a Los Angeles newspaper.

Remember a time before cable news and Twitter? Ed Asner played Lou Grant during much of the '70s, first in the "Mary Tyler Moore Show," then in "Lou Grant" as a crusty editor of a Los Angeles newspaper.

Malcolm McDowell has played some great villains and eccentrics in his time, but will always be remembered as the brainwashed thug in Stanley Kubrick's dystopian "A Clockwork Orange" in 1971. McDowell is pictured in 1975.

Malcolm McDowell has played some great villains and eccentrics in his time, but will always be remembered as the brainwashed thug in Stanley Kubrick's dystopian "A Clockwork Orange" in 1971. McDowell is ... more

Photo: Fred Mott, /

Malcolm McDowell has played some great villains and eccentrics in... Photo-3682894.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Too bad this was the only '70s photo available of Bob Newhart (R), who made TV viewers laugh for six seasons with his stammering, dead-pan quips on "The Bob Newhart Show." He's pictured fishing with Ed McMahon in 1972. less

Too bad this was the only '70s photo available of Bob Newhart (R), who made TV viewers laugh for six seasons with his stammering, dead-pan quips on "The Bob Newhart Show." He's pictured fishing with Ed McMahon ... more

Photo: Hulton Archive, /

Too bad this was the only '70s photo available of Bob Newhart... Photo-3682879.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise

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"Happy Days" was so popular that spawned "Laverne & Shirley" and "Mork & Mindy" (as well as clunker "Joanie Loves Chachi"). Henry Winkleras Fonzie was especially beloved. The show ran from 1974 to 1984.

"Happy Days" was so popular that spawned "Laverne & Shirley" and "Mork & Mindy" (as well as clunker "Joanie Loves Chachi"). Henry Winkleras Fonzie was especially beloved. The show ran from 1974 to 1984.

Photo: /

"Happy Days" was so popular that spawned "Laverne... Photo-3682861.51766 - Beaumont Enterprise